Island



(No Model.)

- v. A. THOM'Sg-j ELBGTRIG CUT-QUT? Patented Feb. 16, 1892. a,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.,

VAN A. THOMAS, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

ELI-:orale CUT-OUT' SPECIFICATION forming part 0f Letters Patent N0. 469,220, dated February 16, 1892.

Application tiled May 15, 1891. Serial No. 392,932. (No model.)

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VAN A. THOMAS, a citi'v such as are more especially adapted to electric-lighting circuits; and it consists, essentially, of a box possessing novel features combined with a movable metallic-faced non-conducting =disk provided with oppositelyarranged air-spaces for breaking the arc, main and branch terminals in yielding contact with said metallic faces of the disk, and a springresisted lever secured to the disk, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings, Figure l is a front elevation of an electric cut-out box embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a side view of the same. -Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on line w w of Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a front view ot'l the box open, the position of the working lever being off-that is, the electric current is not diverted to the branch terminals. Fig; 5 is a similar view, the lever being in the opposite extreme position corresponding to the diversion of the current from the main to the branch terminals. Fig. 6 isapartial inverted horizontal sectional -view taken on line of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 isa partial sectional View of the upper portion of the box, taken at the joint; and Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view, inverted, taken on line y y of Fig. 4.

My improved cnt-out box as a whole is indicated by A. The box proper or casing a is made of suitable metal, as castiron, and is provided with suitable ears a4, arranged to receive screws, by means of which it can be secured in position. The top portion a of the casing is somewhat convex, so as to readily shed water. Near the upper end of the box are located to oppositely-arranged hoods m,

each serving toI protect adjacent openings @formed in the sides of the box for the reception of the terminals of the main wire or conductor w. To the front of the box is hinged at h2 a cover c. as well as the corresponding edges of the lid or cover, form a rabbet t2, thereby serving to prevent the entrance of water, dac., into the box. The upper inner edge of the cover is provided with a similar projection a2, adapted when the box is closed to protect the corresponding joint. The interior of the box is provided at one side with a spring-catch s', having its free end arranged to spring into a notch s2, formed in the side cover, the latter being distinctly shown in Fig. 6.

The interior mechanism of the cut-out box is mounted on a Wooden or non-conducting base d and the whole secured to the casing by screws or in vany other suitable manner, insulating material d2 being first interposed between the base and case. (See Figs. 3 and 6.) On a stationary central stud n, secured lto the base d, is loosely mounted a thin insulating block or disk b, the same being oppositely cut or notched transversely at g g. The upper and lower sides or faces of the disk are provided with thin metallic contact-plates b', the ends being separated from each other at the points g just referred to. Near the four corners of the base d are located binding-posts or holders p, each provided with a bindingscrew p', the two upper holders being adapted to receive and retain the terminals of the main wire or conductor w, the other two holders being similarly arranged to retain the branch terminals w. These holders p are each provided with a lateral extension p2, slightly wedge shape in cross-section, (see Fig. 8,) to each of which are secured upper and lower current-conducting plates arranged to frictionally engage corresponding surfaces of the contact-plates b', secured to the movable non-conducting disk Z). A handled operating-lever his secured to the insulating-disk h. A coiled spring s, attached to the lever and to a pin p4, centrally mounted in the upper portion of the box, serves to retain the lever, tbc., in the two extreme positions.

In Fig. ltthe relation of the parts correspond to the off positionthat is, the current has been switched off from the branch The vertical edges of the box,

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terminals tu. IVhen in this position, an arc cannot be produced between the upper and lower portions of the box, owing to the introduction of the notches g, formed in the disk Z1.

In Fig. 5 the lever, the., are represented as standing in the opposite extreme position. When thus placed,the current from the main or live wire passes directly from the upper current-conducting plates t, oa the contact-plates frictionally connected` therewith to the lower conductingplates, and thence to the correspondng branch wirew. The return current passes upwardly through the other wire w at the right of the box, and thence through the corresponding' conducting and contact-plates to the connected terminal of the live wire.

lVhen inthis position, the said notches gform plates on the upper and lower faces of said disk, the binding-posts with lateral extensions, upper and lower contact-plates secured to said extensions to frictionally engage the c0ntactplates on the disk, and an operating-lever mounted on the stud and secured to the insulating-disk, substantially as specified.

2. In an electric cut-out, the combination, with a casinghaving,r non-conductingbasewith central stud, of an oppositely-notched insulating-disk loosely mounted on said stud, the separated contactplates on the said disk, the binding-posts with wedge-shaped lateral extensions, contact-plates secured to said extensions to frictionally en gage the contact-plates on the disk, and an operating-lever mounted on the said stud and secured to the insulating-disk, substantially as specied.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence ol two witnesses.

TAN A. THOMAS. Witnesses:

CHARLES HANNIGN, ino. Il. REMING'roN. 

